Surprise! It Snowed in Austin!
Well – maybe not in all of Austin. Well – maybe only where I live. Well – maybe it wasn’t real snow. It came from a machine to get our Everleigh residents in the Christmas spirit at our Christmas Party. Honestly, I had to take a closer look because it sure looked like the real…
Expect the Unexpected
I am closely acquainted with expectations. I have in mind exactly how things should go on my birthday, vacation, holiday, or any other experience. At this time of year, I’m taking some ques from Mary, Jesus’ mother, who learned to expect the unexpected. She became a role model for us when it comes to expectations.…
A Birth Announcement Beyond Compare
The birth announcement fad of “Gender Reveal” has seemed to take over social media. Lots of fun ways to announce a sweet baby girl or boy who will soon make their debut. Don’t you love it when a friend or family member shares the good news “We are expecting!” in a cute photo long before…
Accepting Our Mission
Today is the fourth and last Sunday of Advent. We have been journeying through this tender time with Gabriel, the messenger of God Who announced Mary’s destiny of becoming the mother of her Savior if she chose to accept the call. She said: “Yes!” Gabriel was also the chosen angel to deliver the “mission” to…
Tidings of Comfort and Joy
With “Joy to the World” and all the other songs of goodwill and glad tidings that describe this season, I would be remiss to think that we are all in a perky, celebratory mood. I know there are many that can hardly wait for this season to be in the “rear-view” mirror. I know it…
Letting our Christmas Joy Be About the Joy-Giver
Here we are on the other side of December’s half-time! It’s December 16th — only 9 more days until the presents are all unwrapped, we’re eating our Christmas breakfast and some of us are singing “Happy Birthday, Jesus”! For me, I’ll be driving home from my East Texas’ family’s Christmas Eve traditions to join my…
Do You Hear What I Hear?
The second verse of this wonderful Christmas carol is:“Said the little lamb to the Shepherd boy,Do you hear what I hear? Ringing through the sky Shepherd boy.Do you hear what I hear? A song, a song, high above the trees,With a voice as big as the sea. With a voice as big as the sea.”…
Our Voices Matter
I’m a big fan of the TV talent show, “The Voice”. To make it past the first audition, the contestants belt out a song while the chairs of the judges are turned away from them. Then the judges base their decision solely on how good their voice is — not by how they look or…
Go to Hell, Satan!
Yikes! Donna! You don’t talk like that! I don’t, but maybe I should! Actually, that title refers to Dolly’s new song from her recent Christmas special, “Dolly Parton’s Mountain Magic Christmas”. In the middle of the song, she exclaims: “Brothers and Sisters! I’m here to tell you that Satan is real and walking amongst us…
Being Enough
I remember a time when I begged God to make me just like other super-moms and super-wives – organized, intentional with preparing healthy meals, ensuring my children were the respectful, honorable, ideal kids, and dutifully being the “pristine and perfect” wife, with a “zippedy-do-dah” kind of personality. I so wanted to imitate other women who…